JC Raulston Arboretum - Connoisseur Plants

Connoisseur Plants – 1994

Connoisseur Plants are rare new plants or hard to find old favorites, and they are part of the annual appeal and membership drive to benefit the Arboretum's many fine programs and its day-to-day operational expenses. These wonderful plants are sent to those who join the Friends of JC Raulston Arboretum in 1994 at the higher membership levels.

For NCSU Arboretum Sustaining and Corporate Contributors

J. C. Raulston

Each year we select a series of very special plants to offer to our sustaining and corporate contributors in grateful thanks for your most generous support during the past year. These plants are newer or rarer items from our accessions which we have not yet had the opportunity or been able to propagate in quantities for distribution to the nursery industry and subsequent commercial production. Once again you will have great difficulty in deciding from our list as we have another remarkable assortment of 62 exceptional gift choices for your contemplation (up from 48 last year). Many have never been available anywhere in the world before - and others never in U.S. commercial sale commerce. Because of the large number of choices - we have had to reduce the description of each to keep this document to size. As in the past, we again do not have enough of any one of these rarities to offer to everyone, with quantities ranging from 5 to 20 plants on various selections. We ask that you study the list and rank your choices on the attached form and return it to us. We will fill orders as received and will give you the highest ranked plant available when we receive your list. Because of diverse interests of our membership, normally we have been able to give everyone their first or second choice in the past.

The 1994 Selection Choices:

Abelia chinensis - "Chinese abelia" (Caprifoliaceae). An outstanding deciduous flowering shrub with fragrant masses of white/blush flowers from July through frost; one of the very best "butterfly" plants for the garden. USDA Zones 6-9 and best in sun - takes light shade.
Abies firma - "Momi fir" (Pinaceae). The most heat-tolerant of all firs with ability to grow into Florida. Native to Japan and can reach 80' with great age. Slow growing when young but will grow 2-3' per year when established. USDA Zones 5-9 and best in sun.
Acer palmatum 'Beni Schichihenge' - Japanese maple (Aceraceae). A very beautiful clone of the symbol tree of The NCSU Arboretum with pink to cream to red foliar variegation which remains showy through the summer better than most types in southern heat. Small deciduous tree reaching 10-15'. USDA Zones 6-9 and best in light shade to full sun.
Asarum splendens - "Chinese ginger" (Aristolochiaceae). A beautiful broadleaved evergeen herbaceous perennial groundcover introduced recently from China by the Arnold Arboretum, Boston. Can reach 1' in height with silver mottled green foliage. Propagated slowly by division of clumps. USDA Zones 7-9 and best in light shade, particularly in winter.
Betula nigra 'Fox Valley' - "Fox Valley river birch" (Betulaceae). A recent trademarked plant introduction from the Chicago Botanic Garden; a dwarf form of the common river birch which will reach 10' with time. Beautiful bark. USDA Zones 5-9 and best in full sun - takes wet or dry soils.
Bignonia capreolata 'Tangerine Beauty' - "Tangerine Beauty crossvine" (Bignoniaceae). A new color form of the native crossvine with tangerine reddish-orange flowers which was provided by Scott Ogden of Texas and introduced by The NCSU Arboretum in 1993. Rapid growth; evergreen vine covered in flowers in spring & reblooms. USDA Zones 5-9. Sun or shade.
Camellia × 'Carolina Moonmist' - "autumn camellia" (Theaceae). In the 1960's Fred Cochran, Ph.D., did some of the earliest C. sasanqua × C. oleifera hybridization to obtain hardier landscape camellias. This seedling of his was recently selected and named by The NCSU Arboretum for its large pink to rose flowers and a plant hardy in USDA Zone 6. Best in light shade.
Castanopsis cuspidata - no common name (Fagaceae). A near relative to the oaks; this beautiful broadleaved evergreen tree has great potential for a fast growing, fine textured shade tree for the Southern landscape in USDA Zones 6-9. Can be propagated by cuttings and will grow in full sun or light shade.
Cedrus deodara 'Compacta' - "compact deodara cedar" (Pinaceae). This beautiful slow-growing, dense conical cultivar with blue foliage was cultivated in France before 1867, but is rare in America. Our plant has grown about 5' in 10 years at the arboretum and is a very beautiful garden specimen. USDA Zones 6-9. Best in sun but will take light shade.
Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'H. W. Sargent', 'Prostrata', and 'Fastigata'; and C. drupaceae - "plum yews" (Cephalotaxaceae). The true yews cannot be grown well in the south; but this tough stress-resistant conifer shrub will fill that niche. There is much interest in this group at present as they are among the most deer-proof of all plants. USDA Zones 5-9. Sun or shade. You will receive two of the four selections listed.
Cercis yunnanensis 'Celestial Plum' - "Chinese or Yunnan redbud (Leguminosae). This rare species is similar to the better known C. chinensis, a multi-trunk small deciduous flowering tree. This showy deep plum-purple flowered selection was recently named and released by The NCSU Arboretum and is not yet available commercially. USDA Zones 6-9. Sun.
Cornus mas 'Spring Glow' - "Spring Glow cornelian cherry" (Cornaceae). An outstanding small tree introduced recently by The NCSU Arboretum. The most heat-tolerant and free-flowering selection for southern areas; excellent foliage; beautiful bark; blooms heavily (March, fragrant) when young. USDA Zones 4-8; best in sun; tolerant of difficult soil situations.
Cryptomeria japonica Collection - "Japanese cedar" (Taxodiaceae). The NCSU Arboretum has perhaps the largest cultivar collection in the U.S. of this plant which is so valuable in the southeastern landscape - with many widely varied forms. Those chosing this selection will receive 3 uncommon and varied cultivars for trial. USDA Zones 6-9; sun or light shade.
Danae racemosa - "poet's laurel" (Liliaceae). One of the finest of broadleaved evergreen shrubs with arching branches to 3' in height and 4' wide with great age. Beautiful red winter fruit. Rarely seen commercially due to propagation issues and slow growth (6 years to a quart from seed!) but highly desirable. USDA Zones 7-9; best in shade. 3 year old seedlings.
Daphniphyllum macropodum - no common name (Daphniphyllaceae). An outstanding broadleaved evergreen Asian tree with handsome foliage to 6-8" in length and blue fruit in panicles in the fall and winter. USDA Zones 6-9 and will grow in full sun or moderate shade.
Echinosophora koreensis - no common name (Leguminosae). An exceptionally rare deciduous shrub endemic to Korea. Grows to 2' with compound foliage and yellow flowers in spring. Probably in less than a dozen collections in North America at present. More a novelty than showy ornamental, but it is quietly attractive. USDA Zones 5-8. Best in sun.
Euschapis japonica - "euscaphis tree" (Staphylaceae). A deciduous tree from Korea to 30' with dark green, thick, leathery compound foliage in summer, spectacular panicles of red-fleshed fruit with contrasting exposed black seed from August to October, and "snake-bark" in winter with white striping on deep purple stems! USDA Zones 6B-9. Best in sun.
Forsythia × 'Fiesta' - "Fiesta forsythia" (Oleaceae). A truly unique and superior forsythia which has handsome cut-leaf and variegated foliage for interest beyond the normal short spring show period of this genus; and a compact plant which will not eat windows and walkways or require frequent pruning. USDA Zones 5-9; best in full sun for heavy flowering.
"Grab Bag of Treasures" Collection. For this listing we feel we need a certain quantity of a plant to offer to donors in order to have a reasonable chance of obtaining it if requested. We constantly have small quantities of diverse rare plants from new propagations. For this selection - you will receive 3 assorted rare new plants of our choice from our nurseries.
Hedera Collection - one each of the following three ivies - "ivy" (Araliaceae).
- Hedera colchica 'Dentata Variegata' - "variegated Persian ivy". A showy large-leaved evergreen ivy with 3 awards from the Royal Horticultural Society (1907, 1979, and 1984) and much praised in plant references. A groundcover or it will climb wood and in USDA Zones 6-9, and can be used as a houseplant in colder areas.
- Hedera rhombea 'Variegata' - "variegated Korean ivy". Small to medium sized, variegated leaves - rare in commercial trade. Again a groundcover or vine in USDA Zones 6-9, or houseplant in colder areas.
- Hedera helix 'Gnome' or 'Spetchley' - "Gnome English ivy". Small leaves on compact plants - outstanding fine textured groundcover which will climb on wood or stone. USCA Zones 6-9, or houseplant in colder areas.
Heptacodium miconioides - "seven-son flower"; "autumn lilac" (Caprifoliaceae). A deciduous small tree recently introduced by the Arnold Arboretum from China with great beauty from the September white fragrant flowers; pink to purple bracts in October, and white to tan flaking bark on trunks in winter. USDA Zones 5-9 in sun or light shade.
Hymenocallis × 'Tropical Giant' - "tropical giant spider lily" (Amaryllidaceae). A very beautiful herbaceous bulb/perennial with superb foliage and striking large white flowers in summer. Obtained from Scott Ogden in Texas and slowly built up by division of clumps since. Hardiness unknown USDA Zones 8-9 (7?).
Ilex collection (choice of 3 of the following 8) - "Hollies" (Aquifoliaceae).
- Ilex aquifolium 'Angustifolia' - Broadleaved evergreen shrub with narrow leaves and very fine texture; has been one of the best adapted English hollies to southern heat in our plantings.
- Ilex ×attenuata 'Sunny Foster' - A selection with bright golden foliage in full sun - striking.
- Ilex crenata 'Rocky Creek' - A contorted branch growth form of the familiar Japanese holly - very different.
- Ilex opaca 'Clarendon Spreading' - Eastern US species; brdlvd evergreen shrub - spreading habit. A NC cultivar.
- Ilex opaca 'Silver Crown' - Eastern US species; broadleaved evergreen tree with white-variegated foliage - slow.
- Ilex rubra - "Mexican holly" - A new evergreen holly with red fruit originally collected in Mexico by Yucca Do Nursery. Small foliage is a bit like the "Blue" hollies with fine toothed margins. Hardiness is unknown- likely USDA Zones 7-9?.
Itea collection: Itea virginiana 'Saturnalia' and I. yunnanensis - "sweetspires" (Grossulariaceae). 'Saturnalia' is a new cultivar of the native sweetspire named and introduced by Larry Lowman of Arkansas for its brilliant yellow, orange and red fall color. The I. yunnanensis is a bit of a mystery - coming to us from China as seed labeled Stachyurus yunnanensis - but the evergreen nature and look of the plants seems more like Itea - you can check when it flowers. 'Saturnalia' is USDA Zones 5-9 & best in full sun; I. yunnanensis Zones 7-9 in partial shade.
Kalmia hirsuta × K. latifolia - "hybrid mountain laurel" (Ericaceae). This very rare hybrid mountain laurel seems more durable and easier to propagated (cuttings) and grow than either parent. The flowers are small, pink and very attractive with sporadic fall rebloom. USDA Zones 6-8 and best in light shade with good drainage (azalea culture).
Koelreuteria paniculata 'September' - "autumn goldenrain tree" (Sapindaceae). The common goldenrain tree flowers in mid-summer with showy yellow flowers. This seedling variant, which blooms in September, was discovered in 1960 at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana but is very rarely available in commercial trade. USDA Zones 5-9; and best in sun.
Liquidambar styraciflua var. rotundiloba - "fruitless sweetgum" (Hamamelidaceae). Originally discovered in 1930, this deciduous native shade tree has round lobed leaves which turn purple in late fall and it does not produce any "gumballs". Now beginning to enter nursery trade from promotion by The NCSU Arboretum. USDA Zones 6-9; best in sun.
Lonicera nitida 'Silver Beauty' - "variegated box honeysuckle (Caprifoliaceae). A new silver-edged foliage variegation cultivar of this semi-evergreen low shrub recently introduced in England and not yet available in the U.S. Fine textured and easy to propagate from cuttings; has potential for use as a bonsai subject. USDA Zones 7-9; sun to part shade.
Loropetalum chinensis var. rubrum - "purple loropetalum" (Hamamelidaceae). Originally collected in China by plantsman James Waddick, Ph.D. A broadleaved evergreen shrub to 8-10' with purple foliage and striking hot-pink flowers (heavy in spring and sporadically all summer). USDA Zones 7-9 or a sunporch tubbed plant. Sun or partial shade.
Mahonia lanceolata - "Mexican grapeholly" (Berberidaceae). A spectacular new broadleafed evergreen shrub/small tree from Mexico with fragrant yellow flowers in midwinter. Notable for its long (2-3') inflorescences which flower over a long period. Hardiness is not known since it is so new - but likely USDA Zones 7-9?. Wonderful plant. Sun or partial shade.
Mahonia ×media 'Arthur Menzies', 'Lionel Fortesque', 'Underway', 'Winter Sun' - "hybrid grape hollies" (Berberidaceae). A wonderful group of hybrid cultivars of crosses of M. bealei × M. lomarifolia which bloom with large fragrant panicles of showy yellow flowers in mid-winter. Rarely available in the U.S. and among the very finest of plants for the southern landscape. USDA Zones 7-9; best in winter shade. You will receive one plant; not the entire set - indicate your choice(s).
Nandina domestica Collection - 2 plants "heavenly bamboo" (Berberidaceae). The NCSU Arboretum has the largest collection of cultivars of this broadleaved evergreen in the U.S. Many of the slow and unusual foliage form types are not available in commercial culture. You will receive three cultivars of our choice of these rare types.
Osmanthus Collection - 2 plants "false holly" (Oleaceae).
- Osmanthus fragrans f. aurantiacus - An evergreen shrub from China with fragrant orange-red flowers in October. A highlight visitor favorite plant when in bloom when it scents the air for a hundred feet. USDA Zones 7-9. Sun or shade.
- Osmanthus heterophyllus 'Sasaba' - "Sasaba false holly" . Japanese broadleaf evergreen shrub with white fragrant flowers and handsome dark green and deeply cut "starlike" foliage. This cultivar was collected by Barry Yinger and distributed by Brookside Gardens - but due to slow growth it is not in commercial trade. USDA Zones 7-9. Sun or shade.
"Palm" Collection - 2 plants (Palmaceae).
- Sabal sp. - A hardy trunkless palm which has been in the winter garden for many years - showy long inflorescences.
- Trachycarpus fortunei - Seedlings of a particularly hardy parent tree uninjured in Raleigh through many record winters.
Photinia villosa 'Village Shade' - "Village Shade tree" (Rosaceae). A flowering deciduous small tree from China introduced by The NCSU Arboretum. It may be the finest small tree out of our program - with handsome dark green, glossy foliage, masses of white flowers in spring, and showy red fruit in autumn. USDA Zones 5-9. Sun or partial shade.
Poncirus trifoliata 'Flying Dragon' - "contorted hardy orange" (Rutaceae). A spectacular and interesting shrub/small tree at any time of year with white fragrant flowers in spring, dark green trifoliate foliage in summer; yellow citrus-like fruit in fall and twisted & contorted branches and thorns in winter. Very stress tolerant. USDA Zones 5-9; sun to partial shade.
Pseudolarix amabilis - "golden larch" (Pinaceae). An exceptionally beautiful monotypic genus of deciduous conifer tree from China with lacy fern-like foliage in summer and brilliant golden fall color; fast growing. Unlike the true larches that it resembles, it grows very well in the south tolerating the heat and poorly drained soils. USDA Zones 4-8; best in sun.
Rhododendron (Satsuki Azalea) × 'Tama-No-Hada' - (Ericaceae). The Satsuki azaleas are well known; blooming after the mass of spring azaleas. This plant purchased in a California nursery to make cuttngs from because of the gigantic white and pink flowers - bigger than I'd ever seen on an azalea (up to 4" across!). USDA Zones 6-9; best in light shade.
Rhododendron × 'Trude Webster' - "Trude Webster rhododendron" (Ericaceae). The first rhododendron to receive a 5/5 ranking from the American Rhodendron Society (1-5 with 5 being tops - the two numbers for flowers and for foliage. Huge inflorescences of pink flowers on a handsome evergreen shrub. USDA Zones 6-8; shade with good drainage and moisture.
Rhodophiala bifida - 'autumn amaryllis" (Amaryllidaceae). A bulb from Argentina which blooms freely in September with 8-12" tall inflorescences of bright red flowers. It produces foliage which persists through the winter and disappears in spring - remaining dormant until its surprise flowering in fall. USDA Zones 7-9 or for pot culture further north. Best in light shade.
Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki' - "variegated willow" (Salicaceae). Admired for some years in Europe where it is one of the hottest of "new" plants with nearly pure white variegated foliage. Newly arrived in the U.S. and not yet sold here. A deciduous shrub (often high grafted in Europe and pollarded each year as a standard) useful in USDA Zones 5-9. Sun to light shade.
Stachyurus chinensis var. latus - "Chinese stachyurus" (Stachyuraceae). A deciduous shrub to 10' with age which bears showy pendant panicles of yellow flowers in early spring (like forsythia in a wisteria fashion). A rare botanical variety of this Chinese species not in commercial trade. USDA Zones 6-9; best in light shade to full sun with moisture.
Styrax japonicum 'Crystal' - "Crystal snowbell tree" (Styracaceae). New NCSU Arboretum introduction - a deciduous flowering tree to 15' with profusely produced small white flowers highlighted by purple pedicels and very dark green foliage. One of our very best small flowering deciduous trees. USDA Zone 6-9. Best in sun, but will do in light shade.
Taxus chinensis - "Chinese yew" - (Taxaceae). The yews do not survive well in the south with root rots. This beautiful species has performed well in the arboretum - easy to propagate and fast growing with up to 2-3' per year possible. Will be a tree or can be sheared - has good potential for use as a hedge or Christmas tree crop. USDA Zones 5-9. Sun or light shade.
Thuja plicata × T. occidentalis 'Gigantea' - "giant arborvitae" (Cupressaceae). Both parents are vigorous and beautiful conifers of great value in our area - and this new hybrid brings even more vigor to the cross. Fast growing with upright columnar growth - will make an excellent specimen or, if propagated, an excellent hedge. USDA Zones 5-8. Best in sun.
Tsuga sieboldii - "Siebold's Japanese hemlock" (Pinaceae). We have been very impressed with this uncommon hemlock species from Japan which seems to have the greatest heat resistance and vigor. In addition, in northeastern arboreta it is proving to be the most resistant to the insect problems developing there. USDA Zones 5-9. Sun or light shade.
Ulmus alata 'Lace Parasol' - "weeping winged elm" (Ulmaceae). A unique seedling of this beautiful elm with slow growth and weeping branches was discovered 45 years ago and grown in a private garden - reaching a size of 8' in height and 12' in diameter - much like a "winged Camperdown elm" with great beauty. Tough! USDA Zones 5-9. Best in sun.
Zenobia pulverulenta 'Woodlander's Blue Form' (Ericaceae). One of the finest of native southeastern U.S. deciduous shrubss with long panicles of white blueberry/pieris-like flowers in spring and brilliant orange-red foliage in late fall. This Woodlander's Nursery selection has in addition blue foliage through the summer. USDA Zones 6-9. Best in sun withl moisture and good drainage.

I don't envy your trying to resolve the making of choices from such a list - it is truly an impossible task. Good luck.